By Tommy Brown

Special to the Tribune-Herald

WAXAHACHIE — University’s defense never had a chance Friday in Waxahachie as the Indians took advantage of four first-half turnovers by the Trojan offense to take a 23-0 lead in route to a 30-0 win at Lumpkins Stadium.

Only one of Waxahachie’s four first-half scoring drives took more than four plays and the Indians worst starting field position on any of the drives was University’s 45-yard line.

“Turnovers like that put a tremendous amount of pressure on our defense,” University head coach Leroy Coleman said. “You give a good team like Waxahachie that kind of field position and they are going to take advantage every time. You just can’t do that against a quality team.”

It did not take long for University’s offense to turn the ball over as the Indians’ Gary Mason Jr. forced a fumble on the third play of the game. Mason, a Baylor commit, finished with three tackles for a loss.

After Waxahachie grabbed a 7-0 lead, University turned the ball over for a second time. After a 12-yard pass completion, the Trojans fumbled the ball on the 40-yard line.

It took just one play for the Indians to capitalize as Boomer Collins hit Ryan Wilson for a 40-yard touchdown pass to give Waxahachie a 13-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

University’s defense stepped up to force a turnover of its own and a punt on the Indians’ next two possessions.

Waxahachie, however, recovered a fumble on the punt return. The Indians settled for a 31-yard field with 19 seconds left in the first half and appeared to be headed to halftime with a 16-0 lead.

The Trojans, trying to make something happen before halftime, fumbled with nine seconds left, giving the Indians another chance to capitalize on a turnover. On the final play of the half, Collins rolled to his right and connected with Sam Gagliano in the back of the end zone, giving the Indians a 23-0 halftime advantage.

“That last one was big,” Waxahachie head coach David Ream said. “That made it a three-possession game and give us some breathing room heading into the locker room.”

In the second half, University had three drives into Waxahachie territory, but ran out of downs each time. The Trojans reached the 16-yard line with less than five minutes remaining in the game, but were pushed back on a fourth-and-three play.

University’s defense allowed just one second-half touchdown and forced a turnover deep in the Indians’ part of the field.

“I was pleased with the way we came out in the second half, particularly with the defense,” Coleman said. “Offensively we didn’t take advantage of a couple opportunities I thought we should have, but the kids showed a lot of pride about themselves.”

West 35, Lorena 14: In West, the Trojans (2-1) scored five times with five different players while holding Lorena (1-2) to just eight first downs.

West built a 35-0 lead with 8:08 left in the third quarter before sending in the reserves. Lorena’s two scores came in the final six minutes.

The Leopards were penalized for 65 yards — more than either their rushing or passing total.

West had no such trouble with Ethan Martin’s 102 rushing yards and Jarrod Harris’ 112 yards passing.

W (1st): Collin Sykora 17 pass by Jarrod Harris (Dalton Vannatta kick); W: Harris 9 run (Vannatta kick); W (2nd): Troy Manolakis 12 run (Vannatta kick); W: Vannatta 19 pass by Harris (Vannatta kick); W (3rd): Ethan Martin 7 run (Vannatta kick); L (4th): Toby Rigby 8 run (Rigby run); L: Rigby 2 run (conversion failed).

Centerville 25, Moody 8: In Centerville, the Tigers’ game plan to emphasize the run succeeded in lifting Centerville (2-1) to an easy win over Moody (0-3).

Centerville compiled 205 yards on 35 rushes, while gaining no passing yards. Zack Dickson provided two of the Tigers’ touchdowns with a 23-yard run and a 65-yard punt return.

Moody dented the board in the fourth quarter when Walter Hammond scampered in from two yards out. Hammond was Moody’s leading rusher with 103 yards on 27 carries and a touchdown.

C (1st): Dickson 23 run (Craig Bates from Dickson); C (2nd) 22 field goal; C (3rd) 65 fumble return (Dickson run); C (4th) Dickson 65 punt return (kick blocked); M (4th) Hammond 2 run (Hammond run).

Madisonville 39, Rockdale 7: In Madisonville, Mustangs running back Chris Whaley rushed for 189 yards and thrdd touchdowns as Madisonville rolled past the Tigers.

Rockdale quarterback Mark Drake passed for 161 yards and a touchdown, but also threw three interceptions.